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Bour embraces first callup, could DH in St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Marlins called up 26-year-old first baseman Justin Bour from Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday to replace Derek Dietrich, who was sent down Tuesday night.

The power-hitting Bour, who does not have any big league experience, could see some time at designated hitter during this two-game Interleague series against the Rays -- although he was not in the starting lineup for Wednesday night's game -- or against the Rangers next week.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Wednesday that Bour was available to pinch-hit, and he might DH on Thursday.

Bour, who was hitting .330 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs with New Orleans, was held out of the Zephyrs' lineup Tuesday night. At that point, he said, he knew something weird was going on. After the game, his manager, Andy Haines, called him in.

"He said, 'Hey, sorry to lie to you, but I had to,'" Bour said. "He goes, 'It's June 3. As of June 4, you're a big leaguer. I want to give you a hug.' It was awesome, it was great."

Bour said his father, brother and sister-in-law would be in St. Petersburg on Wednesday for the slugger's potential Major League debut.

Bour, who was walking around the Marlins' clubhouse Wednesday afternoon introducing himself to some of his teammates, also said he's just happy to be up in the big leagues with a chance to contribute.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet, but it feels great to finally be here," Bour said. "Whatever they call me to do, I'm going to be ready to do it. DH, first base -- I'm not really sure exactly what they'll do with me, but either one is fine by me. I'm just ready to get out there."

Christian Yelich, whose locker at Tropicana Field was next to Bour's, was briefly displaced by the reporters interviewing Bour before his potential Major League debut.

"It happens when you're next to a superstar," Yelich joked.

David Adler is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.